Is Woodley Hills safe?
Mount Vernon, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Woodley Hills as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Woodley Hills
“Go. Woodley Hills is a largely quiet, suburban residential neighborhood nestled just off the busy Richmond Highway corridor in Fairfax County. While the commercial strip along Route 1 sees occasional property theft and minor disturbances, the residential streets are generally peaceful and secure for visitors.”
Fairfax County continues work on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (The One) project, aimed at improving safety and transit connectivity along the adjacent corridor.
About the area
Woodley Hills is an established suburban community in the Mount Vernon area characterized by mid-century single-family homes, mature trees, and nearby strip retail. It offers convenient proximity to historic sites like George Washington's Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria.
- Suburban Residential
- Tree-Lined
- Car-Dependent
- Commercial Corridor Edge
Walking and biking in Woodley Hills
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 44/100
Capital Bikeshare stations are sparse directly in the neighborhood, but the scenic Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac River is easily accessible a short ride to the east.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Residential interior streets have low violent crime rates consistent with Fairfax County averages
- Close proximity to major regional attractions along the Mount Vernon corridor
- High rate of established homeownership providing neighborhood stability
- Convenient access to essential shopping centers and diverse dining along Route 1
Cons
- Elevated commercial property crime and retail shoplifting along the immediate Richmond Highway boundary
- Pockets of pedestrian hazards on major arterial roads without continuous sidewalks
- Occasional vehicle break-ins reported in multi-family and commercial parking lots
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential streets, though individuals experiencing homelessness or panhandling are occasionally seen near major retail centers and bus stops along Richmond Highway.
What Woodley Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers, commuters heading out, and school bus routes moving smoothly.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm residential atmosphere with standard commercial traffic flowing along the Richmond Highway perimeter.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet in the residential subdivisions, though shopping plazas on Route 1 remain bustling and require basic situational awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally very quiet with minimal foot traffic; sticking to well-lit areas near primary roads is recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Fairfax Connector buses (such as Routes 151, 152, and 171) along with Metrobus REX operate frequently along Richmond Highway, connecting commuters to the Huntington Metro Station (Yellow Line) roughly 3.5 miles north.
Free and ample street parking is widely available throughout the residential subdivisions, and shopping plazas offer abundant free surface lot parking.
Things to do in Woodley Hills
- Explore the nearby historic grounds of George Washington's Mount Vernon estate just down Route 1
- Walk or jog through neighborhood green spaces and nearby Mount Vernon District Park
- Browse regional shopping and dining options at the adjacent Mount Vernon Plaza
Local favorites
- El Paso Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (1650)Popular neighborhood fixture serving hearty fajitas, margaritas, and classic Tex-Mex dishes.
- Su Pollo · Peruvian Restaurant · 4.5★ (820)Lauded counter-serve spot known for flavorful Peruvian charcoal-rotisserie chicken and sides.
- Afghan Bistro · Afghan Restaurant · 4.7★ (1150)Acclaimed family-run eatery dishing out authentic kebabs, mantu, and spiced regional specialties.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.